There are six New Testament expressions that trace the decline of faith in an individual.
BEFORE a person is saved, he may have:
1) “vain faith” or belief in the wrong doctrine (1Cor 15:14-17)
2) “dead faith” or belief in orthodox doctrine without personal belief in Christ (James 2:19-20)
AFTER a person is saved, he can experience the following varieties of faith:
1) a kind of unbelief – experienced by the believers who fail to accept the whole work of Christ (Mark 16:11-14)
2) “little faith” – a mixture of faith and unbelief (Mark 7:26)
3) “weak faith” – referring to belief expressed as mere legalism (Rom 14:1)
4) “strong faith” – faith that is rooted in the promises of God (v. 20)
Illustration: As Christians mature, they should grow in faith. This was the experience of Abraham. Early in his pilgrimage with God, he could not trust God to protect him in Egypt. This was “weak faith” (Gen 12:10-20). He was later able to trust God, in sacrificing his son Issac. This was “strongfaith” (Heb 11:17-19)
Application: The Chrisitan life is a continual growing adventure in faith. (Gen 15:6, Rom 4:20, cf Rom 8:16)
